Brooks’ Jason Norton met with René Wiertz, CEO and president of 3T, to learn more about his company’s recent collaboration with BMW.

Can you tell us about who you are and your role with 3T?

I am one of the three owners of 3T. In 2007, I acquired the 3T trademark and relaunched the company from scratch. 3T was founded in 1961 as a bike parts company producing high end bars, stems and seatposts. The founder of the company was very focused on innovation: 3T was the first company to use aerospace alloys in the 1970s and was thus able to produce the lightest bars and stems. In the eighties, 3T produced the first dedicated triathlon bar, for the US bike manufacturer, Scott. In the year 2000, 3T was the first company to introduce a dedicated female road-bar, called EVA.

From 2000 to 2007, the company disappeared from the market. I then bought the 3T trademark, relaunched the brand and by 2009/2010 3T was back as a global leader in the premium bar and stem market. Around 2013 I recognised that the parts market was going to shrink, as bike makers were integrating parts more and more into the frame: aero seat post, integrated cockpit solutions. Therefore, we embarked on a strategic shift to transform 3T from a ‘parts’ maker to a ‘bike’ maker, and secondly bring production in house. In order to do this, I invited Gerard Vroomen, founder of Cervelo, to come on board as my partner and to help transform the company. In this partnership, Gerard is leading product design and communication while I run the company operationally. In 2016 we launched our first bike, the Exploro, an aero gravel bike. In 2017 we followed with the Strada, an aero road bike.

Is this a bike for the 3T consumer or the BMW consumer?

It is for both. There are 3T consumers who are looking for a more luxury all-road experience, and those 3T customers will be attracted to this bike. But we clearly also target the BMW consumer, offer the same sheer cycling experience as a BMW rider experiences as when he drives his/her car. If we can get a few more car drivers taking a bike more often, we have reached our goals.

We have seen Car/Bike collaborations in the past, what is different about this one?

There have been many bike/car collaborations where the car company simply licensed their brand or logo to a bike company. The collaboration we have with BMW is clearly at another level. First, we have signed a multi-year collaboration, so we can continue to learn & improve our joined offering. The bike graphics design and specification have been developed in close co-operation between 3T and several departments at BMW. Thirdly, 3T for BMW bikes will be sold through 3T Experience Centers, as well as selected BMW dealerships globally. This wider distribution offers a massive opportunity to build our brand outside the traditional channels. Lastly, 3T and BMW have worked closely together on the communication side, with a joint press release, a joined social media campaign etc. It is a true a fully collaboration.